1. TESTING, TESTING, 1 2 3 – Sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT and PLAN. You can get test dates and free tips as well as register on the www.ACT.com and www.collegeboard.com. You can also take either the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Tests on one test day. In addition, don’t forget about AP exams If you are on the fence, take the test. It can’t hurt and if you do well you can get credit for your work and have fewer obligations upon entering college. You would want to take these tests as soon as possible after completing the coursework while the material is still fresh in your mind. Lastly, visit the College Boards SAT Preparation Center to take a free full-length official practice test and get a score and skills report.
There are obviously books you can buy and classes you can take to help you prepare for your exams. Sit down and talk to your parents about what you want to do. When taking the PSAT/NMSQT, you may consider checking yes for their student search service to hear about colleges and scholarships.
If a test does not go as well as you had hoped, there are things that can be done. First assess whether you did better on the PSAT of PLAN. This may suggest whether you should take the SAT or ACT. Moreover, if it’s a PSAT, AP or Subject test a school doesn’t even have to find out about your score. Moreover, not all schools even look at standardized test scores. Remember, the test scores are just one piece of your extensive package. Depending on how you do, you can assess if you want to include your test scores or not. It may also influence to which schools you apply.
2. MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL – It’s time for a little self-reflection. You need to start to assess your abilities, interests and priorities to determine what schools you should consider and the best way to present yourself. Again there are books and websites that have questionnaires which may be helpful. In addition, reading about different schools, their missions, and descriptions of the student body may be a good way to get the wheels of your mind rolling.
3. RESEARCH – It’s time to really focus and organize your research on schools of which you might be interested. There are a lot of ways to gather info.. Go to your guidance office, meet with your counselor and begin your college research. Visit college fairs. The internet is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get started. There are also many good books in this area. Moreover, talking to current students and alumni is an important way to get a more personalized insight into the school. In addition, visit the schools. Nothing can replace first-hand knowledge. If you feel you’d be good at it, schedule interviews with admissions counselors for when you visit the campuses. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, start reviewing applications of schools in which you may be interested. Check the important dates. Do they have rolling admissions or deadlines? Are there areas you need to firm up? Do any of your schools want examples of your leadership or research experience?
4. $$$ - Attend financial aid workshops. They can be very helpful in not only providing an overview of how financial aid works but may also be able to guide you to particular organizations and/or opportunities for students such as yourself. Calculate your EFC both through the federal methodology (www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.finaid.org ) and the institutional methodology (www.collegeboard.com) to determine your expected family contribution. If you are considering applying for specific scholarships and/or fellowships, look at their applications. Do they ask for examples of your experience in certain areas? Find out now while you still have time to gain those experiences and shore up your application.
Also if you haven’t already done so, research the costs of attending college. At this point you can find out the numbers for the school you are most interested in attending. There is a lot of information on the internet at your finger tips. Not only is there information about tuition, financial aid and scholarships on the web but there are also college savings calculators to see how much money you’ll need for college, whether you’re on track to save enough and what you’ll need to do to reach your financial goal. These are all excellent activities to do with your parents.
5. CLASSES - Make sure you are enrolled in the right classes. Colleges like 4 years of English, Math, History, Science and a foreign language. Moreover, it’s the classes that you take combined with the grades you receive that are the most important thing to colleges when they review your application. Enroll in the most competitive classes you can handle. Also, you may want to look for some non-traditional classes which might give you an opportunity to stand out. Instead of French or Spanish, does your school offer Chinese?
6. TEACHERS & COUNSELORS – Continue to develop your relationships. Don’t be just a face in the crowd. You might want a letter of recommendation from them. The closer the relationship, the better the letter will be. In fact, oftentimes the best letters don’t go to the best students but the students the teachers care about the most. Give them the opportunity to care about you.
7. EXTRA-CURRICULARS - Take your involvement in your extracurricular activities to the next step. If possible, it’s time to hold an office, take a position or take on additional responsibilities. This is a great opportunity for you to show initiative and other skills that might not be apparent on a transcript.
8. CALENDAR - Create a calendar. Your junior year is a critical time to get organized about all the information you are gathering regarding schools, tests, financial aid and other material involved in the admissions process. Are there any AP or SAT subject tests you would like to take at the end of the year? Are you planning on taking the PSAT and PLAN? Are there workshops that might be useful regarding colleges, financial aid, the application process…? You may want to create a binder or keep all of your material on your computer. Different people have different ways of organizing their work. There is no one right way but you must be organized.
9. HOLIDAYS - Look for great spring, summer and winter holiday break opportunities whether they are jobs, internships, volunteer positions and/or trips. At this point you know what your interests are. See if you can build upon them. If you are interested in politics, are there internships or volunteer positions? If you are interested in sports, maybe you can work at a camp or perhaps even start your own. I’ve heard of kids running one week camps at the end of the summer after most camps have ended but before school starts. Brainstorm! You may be amazed at what you come up with. Not only can family, teachers, coaches and counselors be helpful in this process but so can friends of the family.
10. DEAR DIARY – Keep a journal and write about your thoughts and experiences. This is a great way to begin practicing your writing skills and who knows, you may end up journaling about a topic that one day becomes your personal statement on your college applications. With the experience fresh in your mind, you’ll be better able to chronicle the details and your impressions.
11. AND A 1 AND A 2 – Develop a list of your activities since freshman year and keep adding to it. Include extra-curriculars, leadership positions held, athletic endeavors, employment, volunteer work, community service, awards, honors…
12. INTERNSHIPS – Considering a pre-professional program at college or think you know what you want to do after college? Get an internship and see if expectations match reality. Not only could this provide critical insight into programs and schools you may be considering, it’s also an opportunity for a great experience.
13. FOR THE LUCKY ONES - Again, if there’s a chance you’re eligable for scholarship, fellowship and/or honors, take a look at the application and see if there are any areas you need to shore up. Research experience? Leadership experience? This may be your last chance to hedge all your bets.
